Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE X .

PLATONOV, GLAGOLYEV i, and afterwards GLAGOLYEV II.

GLAGOLYEV I (enters, leaning on a stick). I’m glad to find you at home, Mikhail Vassilyitch! Very glad... I’m afraid I’ve disturbed you... But I won’t keep you long, only a minute or so. ... I want to ask you one question. You answer me, and I’ll go. What’s the matter, Mikhail Vassilyitch? You are pale, and you shake and tremble so... What’s the matter with you?

PLATONOV. The matter with me? Eh? I am drunk, or . . . I’m going out of my mind! X am drunk . . . drunk... My head goes round... GLAGOLYEV I {aside). I’ll ask him. What the sober man has in his soul, the drunken man has on his tongue. (To Platonov.) The question is a strange one. You may even think it stupid. But for God’s sake, answer me, Mikhail Vassilyitch! It’s a life question with me! I’ll believe your answer, because I know you for an honest man... Let my question seem strange or stupid or even humiliating, but for Heaven’s sake, give me an answer! I find myself in a terrible position. Our mutual acquaintance . . .

You know her very well. ... I considered her perfection in the human sense of the word . . . Anna’ Petrovna Voinitzev... {Supports Platonov.) Don’t fall, for God’s sake!

PLATONOV. Go! I always considered you a stupid old man!

GLAGOLYEV i. You are her friend, you know her as you know your five fingers... She has been either slandered, or else . . . my eyes have been opened... Is she an honest woman, Mikhail Vassilyitch? She . . . she . . . has she the right to be the wife of an honest man? {Pause.) I don’t know how to formulate my question... Please understand me, for God’s sake! I’ve been told that she . . .

PLATONOV. Everything’s degrading, low, filthy in this world! Everything . . . degrading . . . low... {Falls unconscious against Glagolyev and rolls on the ground.)

GLAGOLYEV II {entering). Are you going to stick here forever? I don’t feel like waiting! GLAGOLYEV I. Everything’s degrading, low, filthy... That means, she’s included too... GLAGOLYEV II {looking at Platonov). Father, what’s the matter with Platonov?

GLAGOLYEV I. Disgracefully drunk... Yes, degrading, filthy... The deep, pitiless, painful truth! {Pause.) We’re going to Paris! GLAGOLYEV II. What? To Pa . . . To Paris? What do you want to go to Paris for? {Laughs.)

GLAGOLYEV I. To lie about like this fellow does! GLAGOLYEV II. To lie about. ... In Paris? GLAGOLYEV I. We’re going to try our luck in a new arena! Enough! Enough of playing a comedy for oneself, and of tormenting oneself with ideals! I have no more faith, or love! There are no human beings! We’re going! GLAGOLYEV II. To Paris?

GLAGOLYEV i. Yes. ... If one is to sin, ‘tis better to sin on alien soil, and not in one’s own land! As we haven’t yet rotted, we’ll have a bit of life in human fashion! Be my teacher, son! We’re going to Paris!

GLAGOLYEV II. That’s the way to talk, father! You’ve taught me to read, and I’ll teach you to live! We’ll take the journey!

CURTAIN